Electric apparatus



Sept 8, 1931- E. w. SCHELLENTRAGER ET AL 1,821,989

ELECTRIC APPARATUS Filed Jan. 24. 1927 2 SheetS--Sheel' l Sept. 8, 1931. E. w. SCHELLENTRAGR ET AL 1,821,989

ELECTRIC APPARATUS Filed Jan. 24. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 attorney Patented Sept. 8, 1931 UNETED STATES AFFICE EUGENE W. SCHELLENTRAGER, OF SHAKER HEIGHTS, AND WILLIAM E. BOYER, OF

CLEVELAND, OHIO ELECTRIC APPARATUS Application led January 24, 1927. Serial No. 163,227.

Our invention relates to electric apparatus generally and to the relations and the mounting of spark producing and associated elements Particularly.

One of the objects of our invention to prevent the exposure of sparks created bctween Contact make and break members ot an electric apparatus while the contact members are in normal use.

Another object of our invention is to provide a means which necessitates the locking of one or more contact make and break members into inoperative position before another contact make and break member can be operated.

Another object of our invention is to prevent the operation of one or more contact make and break devices while one or more contact make and break devices are exposed.

Another object of our invention is to provide an electric circuit between a storage battery and a motor with means for preventing a charging plug to be inserted in the circuit while the motor is inserted in the circuit and with means which necessitates the opening ot the motor circuit in an inclosed chamber before the charging plug can be inserted.

Another object of our invention is to provide an electric storage battery locomotive, or other similar device, with means for preventing the sparking of the electrical make and break devices thereof from setting lire to gases or other objects surrounding the devices.

In many instances, as 1n mines tor inis in circuit or when the circuit is otherwise closed, there will be trouble if not disaster. The present invention aims to prevent the trouble or di yte; arising from such causes.

Many elemrical apparatuses are operated by unskilled labor who will push or pull on anything which moves to see what happens and thereby cause considerable trouble. 'The present invention aims to eliminate movable parts on the outside as tar as possible and to so arrange the necessarily movable parts that no damage can result from the moving thereof.

Our inventon is illustrated in the accompanying drzuvings which show one embodiment ot our invention, as applied to a storage battery locomotive.

We are aware, however, that our invention is appiicable to other devices also.

ln the aecompanying drawings Fig. l is a side view ot a device having a number of contact make and break devices inelosed therein, which embodies the 'features of our in\.'ention, and showing the cover in closing `)osition and the operating handle Vtor the switch in the position it is in when the switch is open, and the dog in a position to lock the operating handle in that position and to permit the charging plug, or other connector, to be either removed from or inserted into the device.

Fig. 2 is a side view similar to Fig. 1 and slrfows the oilierating handle for the witch in the position it is in when the switch is closed, and the dog in a position to permit the handle to be operated to open and to close the switch and to prevent the charging ping, or other connector, from being1 either removed from or inserted into the device.

Fig. 3 is a front view of Fig. l showing the cover in scaling or closing position and the operating handle tor the switch in operable condition.

Fig. 4 is a front view ot Fig. 1 showing the cover in unsealing or uncovering position to expose the fuses and the operating handle tor the switch in locked position.

Fig 5 is a section, taken in a horizontal pla e indicated by the line in Fig. 1,

and shows more clearly the relations between the cover and the switch inecl' nlnism and the fuses and the cont et mechanism.

Fig. t3 is a section, taken in a horizontal plane indicated by the line tie-*ii in 1, and shows more cleariy the relations between the cover in open or unsealing position and the lock and arm and step mechanism when the cover is in that open position.

Fig. T a general perspective view o :i storage battery locomotive with the device shown in Figs. 1 to (i attached thereto.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the views.

The device illustrated. in detail in the accompanying drawings is shown as applied t0 a storage battery locomotive which has the battery the motor l, the controller C, the circuit l); and switch and contact make and break elements inclosed in the device which is designated as 1C.

The device E, in the present instance made one unit attachablc to the locomotive or other apparatus.y has a hou i one side open to permit the machining of the interior thereof and to permit the installation of eieinents therein; the removable wall 10 is secured to the hous fe over L -F the open side to completely close the housing.

ihe wall 1() has the intcrnaiiy threaded opening 11 through it and the cover 12 is threaded into the opening 11 and has the flange 13 to limit the inward movement of the cover and also has the lugs 1l to facilitate the screwing or the unscrewiug of the cover into or out of the wah 10. The cover 12 has the journal stud 15 protecting cutwardly therefrom for the purpose appean ing presently.

The switch F and the fuses C* and tifcontact elements H are mounted within housing. The fuses G being disposed rectly opposite the opening 11 so tl .ie same can readily e re-newed through this opening when the cover 12 is removed from this opening.

The switch F, in the present instance a knife switch, is mounted on the rotatable shaft 1G which is journaled in the walls 17 and 18 of the housing and the end 19 thereof projects some distance beyond the outs of the wall 17. The boss 2() of the operating lever I is secured to the end 19 in such a manner that the handle poition 2l of the lever I extends horizontally as seen in Fig. 1 when the switch is open and exten vertically as seen Vin Fig. 2 when the switch is closed.

The dog J is journaled on the stud on the outside of the housing and has the ears 28 to facilitate the rotation thereof on the stud 22.

ide

The dog J has the flange 21 the outer edge of which has the outwardly arcuate surface 25 concentric with the longitudinal aXis ot sind 22 and the inwardly arcuate surface 26 adjacent to the surface 25. The ilange also has the toes 2T and 28 for purposes appearing presently.

The dog J also has the hollow housing 29 having the arcuate wall St) with the arcuate notch 31 therein.

The levei- I has the flange 33 thc outer edge of which has the outwardly arcuate surface 34 conce tric with the longitudinal axis of the shaft 1G and of substantiaily the same contour as, and complementary to, the inwardly arcuate surface 26 of the dog J and aiso has the toes 35 and the inwardly arcuate s rface E6 adjacent to the surface 311 and ot' the saine contour as, and compleinentary to, the outwardly arcuate surface 25 of the dog J. The flanges 24 and 33 and the distance between the longitudinal axis of the shaft 16 and the stud 22 are arranged so that the component surfaces 25 and 36 contac.4 each other when the dog J and the lever 1 are in the positions shown in Fig. 1 and s that the component surfaces 26 and 31 c ear each other when the dog J and the lever I are in the positions shown in Fig. 2.

The ooss 37 is provided on the wall 10 and the stein 38 is journaled therein and is longitudinally movable therein. The lock head 39 is provided on the inner end of the stein 38 and extends into the hollow of the lionsing 29 and is clear of the walls thereof when the cover 12 in the position of closing he housing E as shown in Fig. 5. The head 39 can move longit dinally outward from this position with the stem 38 so that the head 39 engages the arcuate notch 31 when the cover 12 is in the position of opening the housing E as shown in Fig. G.

The arm K has the journal boss 4() with `he stud 15 rotatable therein and the boss 41 which is pinned to the stem 3S so that the arm K can rotate on the stem 38 and so that the stem 38 with the head 39 thereon is moved longitudinally when the arm K is moved longitudinally.

The contact clement 42 is mounted in the housing E and has the contact make and break sockets 13 and 4,4 mounted therein and inserted in the circuit D.

The plug L, either a. battery charging plug or a motor connector plug, or other connector plu, has the end 45 fitting slidably but closely into a bore in the housing to seal or close the housing as far as possible and also has the contact make and break plugs 4G and 47 adapted to the sockets 43 and s14 respectively and inserted in the circuit D.

The plug L has the flange 48 and the diametrically reduced portion A19 adjacent to the Harige for engaging or disengaging the toe 28 of the dog J as will appear presently.

The arm K has the lug 50 and the boss 3T has the step comprising the surfaces 51, 52, 53 and 54 for purposes appearing presently.

Normally, the cover 12 and the plug L seal the housing of the device E completely so that the contact make and break elements, as the switch F or the fuses G or the element H, are completely inclosed in the housing to prevent any sparking thereof from being conveyed to or in any manner reaching the outside of the element E.

Since the end of the plug L tits into and extends some distance into the housing, conta-ct between the plugs 46 and 47 and the sockets 43 and 44 can only be made or broken while the end 45 is still in the housing; therefore, any sparking which does take place between the contact plugs and the sockets is confined within the housing and can not be communicated to the outside of the housing.

When the switch F sparks during the operation thereof, or at other times, the sparks are confined to within the housing as long as the cover 12 is in closing position.

When one or both of the fuses blows during the normal operation of the device, the sparks created by such blowing are confined to within the housing as long as the cover 12 is in closing position and can not be communicated to the outside of the housing.

T he blowing of fuses is of quite frequent occurrence in an electrical apparatus and requires the re-newal of the fuses and such re-newal will cause sparking if it is attempted while the circuit D is otherwise closed.

ln order to prevent the re-newal of the fuses while the circuit l) is otherwise closed, we provide the lock mechanism for the switch described which operates as follows:

lVhen the cover 12 (journaled on the stud 15) is unserewed (out of the wall 10) it moves longitudinally outward and moves the arm K with it in the saine direction through the boss 40.

This outward movement of the arm K nieves the stein 38 longitudinally in the same direction (boss 41 of the arm pinned to the stem) and thereby moves the head 3f) into the arcuate notch 3l and thereby prevents the dog J freni being rotated. The notch 31 is so located that the head 39 can enter the notch 3l only when the dog l is rotated into the position shown in Fig. l. where the switch is open and the lever is in such a position that the surfaces 25 and 3G are in contact. This contact of the surfaces 253 and 36 prevents the operation of the lever l and consequently prevents the closing of the switch.

When the cover 12 is in closing position (screwed into the wall 10) the head 39 clears the inside of the walls of the housing 29 and thereby permits the rotation of the dog.

ll/Then the dog J is rotated into the position shown in Fig. 2, the surface 34 of the lever I clears the surface 2G of the dog and thereby permits the operation or rotation of the lever and, consequently, permits the opening as well. as the closing of the switch while the dog is in this rotated position. Therefore, the dog can be rotated only while the cover 12 is in closing position to permit the operation of the lever l and the opening and the closing of the switch F and the dog J can not be rotated out of the position of locking the switch in open position while the cover 12 is uncovering the opening in the wall 10.

Since the arm li is secured to the rotatable stem 1%, the boss 4() thereof can move in an are with the longitudinal axis of the stem as a center. Since the cover is liournaled in the boss 40, it moves therewith in the same arc when the cover is unscrewed rom the wall 10.

ll'ien the cover 12 is the outer between the between the surface L3 a "ng to retain the longitudinal axis of the cover 12 substantially in alignnient with tno longitudinal axis of the opening in the wall 10 and thereby eliminates the necessity of holding up the weight of the cover while the saine is being unscrewed from or screwed into the wall 10.

After the cover 12 screwed out of the wall 10, the inner end of the lug clears the surface :'52 and permits the same to travel downwardly in an arcuate path until it abuts the surface 51 whereupon further movement of the cover in that direction is arrested and the same automatically held in the position shown in Fig. 4 where it is seen that the fuses (il are exposed through the opening in the wall 10 so that they can be renewed or manipulated in any manner.

lvl/Then the cover 12 is in the position shown in Figs. 4 and 6, the inner end of the lug 50 abuts the surface i4 and therebv prevents the lock stem 38 from moving iiiward while the cover is in this position and thereby retains the head 39 in locking engagement with the notch b1 so that it is impossible to close the switch While the cover is in this position.

Since the cover can be removed only bv locking the switch in open position and since the locking can be effected only by and during the removal of the cover, it is inipossibie to expose the fuses while the ycircuit l) is otherwise closed.

lVhen the plug L is inserted in the housin closing position, i, et the lng 50 1s disposed freely surfaces F3 and 54; the Contact :ner end of the lug 50 and the and i; nge 4H; he ping :fan

therefore i' removed onij, when the oei* i and Z353 abt as abfitnients to iiiiiit the 'travel ot the do'i and oi" the lever.

to devices o A and deseribed and that c made in the and i nie: of eienie -1 in the scopi of the i i iizt iiiiiiting onrseives to ese a, pi'ieation ot ein' invention as de-wrii'ied nor 'to the piezas@ rnd arrangement of eieiiients as :n

l tore, vita den ,i'ibed,

e eiaini: l. An eiefftrie appai'atns having a iiavingij an entrance openi i movable cover t( said opening, riiieirie eentact make and break devices and viee eoniined in said honf- K housing 'for oper ing one of said nia ne'. nir-i u fr break devii`v`l and a iiiovabie member b 'f and said ope ating means ani i'iioveiiient of sai-ii l yi removal ie saine iineovers 'to ioek said oper agaiis oi'ieration fheieoi,

n e est trie eireiiii 7 and a oor:

nj: part of a ating means a switch fuse inserte tin '11.. iiiovabie inezins adaptrii to exiiose s: and moans operaba?. bv said expo-,ing in during the moving thereoi and before said i posed to ioek said svviteh against tno losing `,iierei'iipl 3. An ele eti-ie apparatus havingan eiertric eireiiit ii;

iving a switch and a (foneeaied inse inserted therein, niovabie nieaiis toi' exposing i inse, and a niovabie nienibe norm: i benoit-*ing tie opei:i""'i iii ot r-Wi'f'rh :bie into a po," said s-iviteii against operation thereof before said inse exposed and moved ii lo said position bj; the ope 'ation oiE said niovaiie means and retained in said position said iiiovabe inea iie the saine is iii position of eX! o;-` aid fuse.

4. [in eieetiii. trie Giri-nit havin i fuse inserted thei ine-:ns tor operi, said switeh. a removable Cover i r exp( said inse, a dog niannaiiv niovabie into tivo positions and having means vfor peiiiiilting the operation of said ope 1ating means when said dog is in one of said positions and means for locking said operating means against the dosing ot said sivita-h when said dog is in the other one of said positions, and Iiiovabie nieaiis operated b v and (hiring the reniovai oi said cover and looking said dog iii said other position before said fuse is eX- posed.

)in eieet 'ie apparatus having an eleoii-ie ii-enit having spaeed eontaets and a siviteii and a eoiieealod fuse inserted therein. a eontart ping to Contact said contacts, dog movable into tivo positions, means i' i said dog and said switch to retain ma i 'ia ets sani@ is iiovei to expose said tnse.

"i ie appa "atus having an eleciaving spaeed eontae and a a eoneeaied fuse inserted thereping to eonneet said Contacts, to Xpose said fuse. and

'abie to expose said inse to prevent the eins-ing' ot said si'itch While said fuse is eX- posed.

7, fin eie ie appara ns having a (dosed hoifsing having an eiitianie opening and a over i-eiiiovabie troni said opening, an elecrie eirenit havin spacca eontaets and a and a inse inserted therein and ini Uiid housing. a Contact ping to Qon- Y eontaets. a dog jonrnaied on said and having means to lock said switch in the opei posilion thereof, and means to pri'ivent the making and the breaking ot Contact between d ping and said '-.vhile said switch is Closed and wiiile said 'z itch is free o be dosed, a ioek to said dog in position to lock said r-vviteii in sai-i ipen position, an arni between and iioved by the i said Cover to eiiiect and having means ring while said fuse is ex- 1Q-'fion ot the being operatively ('oiiiierted with said movable member so that said movable member is moved into one relation to said mechanism While said portion is telescoping out otl said opening and into another relation to said mechanism While said portion is telcscoping into said opening.

9. A. casing having a threaded opening in a Wall thereof. mechanism carried bv said casing and including a movable member, and a removable cover for said casing having a threaded portion scrc y'able into said opening and being operatively connected with said movable member so that said movable member is moved into one relation to said mechanism vvhile said portion is being screwed out of said opening and into another relation to said mechanism While said portion is being screwed into said opening.

l0. A casing, an operable mechanism in said casing` operating means for said operable mechanism, a removable cover tor said Casin", and a lock mechanism operativcljv connected 1th said operating mechanism and with said cover so that the removal of said cover trom said casing locks said operating means against operation before said cover uncovers said casing and the attachment ot said cover to said ,(...iag releases said operating means for operation thcreot.

11. A casing having an opening in a wall thereof, a movable mechanism in said casing, a lock mechanism for said movable mechanism, and a movable cover tor `said opening supported on said lock mechanism and adapted to move a member ot said lock mechanism into locking position While said cover is being removed from said opening and out ot locking position While said cover is being placed over said opening.

l2. A casing, a movable mechanism in said casing, a lock mechanism tor said movable me fhanism, a removable Wall for said casing to facilitate installation ot' and access to said movable mechanism in said casing and having an opening therein`r and a movable cover for said opening supported on a member ot said lock mechanism and having a portion telescopable into said opening and adapted to move said member into and out oi: locking position in said lock mechanism when said cover is moved 'from and onto said opening.

13. A. casing. operable mechanism in said casing. a bar adjacent to said 'asingl5 a cover t'or opening and closing access to said operable mechanism in connection 'with said bar. and a step adjacent said casing to abut said cover mechanism and support said cover when the same is removed trom said casing.

ll. casing, operable mechanism in said casing. a bar adjacent said casing, a cover mechanism tor opening and closing access to said operable mechanism in connection v-:ith said bar, and a step adjacent said casing to abut said cover mechanism and snpport said cover ivhile the same is being attachcd to and removed from said casing.

15. A casing, operable mechanism in said casing, a bar adjacent said casing, a cover mechanism for ol'icning and closing access to said o erablo mechanism in connection with said bar, and step means adjacent said casing to abur cover mechanism and support said cover vfhile the same is removed from said casing and While the same is being attached to and removed from said casing.

i6. caf-slag, operable mechanism carried by said casing and including` a pivoted tlanoe member, a removable cover for said ca .1g having a bar, and a pivoted member interlockable with said iange member and with said bar.

1T. A casing, operable mechanism carried by said casing and including a pivoted flange member, a removable cover for said casing having a bar movable with the s: me, and a pivotezil member intcrlockable with said tlangc member and With said bar; said members having component arcuate sm'- liaccs Whereb;7 pivotal movement oit each of said members is prevented While pivotal movement ot the other one ot said members is permitted.

ltl. A casing, operable mechanism carried bv said failing and including a pivoted flange member. a removable cover for said casing having a bar movable with the same, and a pivoted member interlockable With said (lange member and with said bar; said members having component arcuate surtaces Ywhereby pivotal movement of each of said members is prevented while pivotal movement of the other one ot said members is permitted and movement ot said bar is prevented ivhilc said pivotal movement ot said intrrlockable member is prevented.

li?. .l casing, operable mechanism carried b v said casing and including a pivoted tlange member, a removable cover for said casing hav ng a bar movable with the same, and a pivoed member interlockablc vvith said flange member and with said bar; said members having compon/.nt arcuate surfaces .vhorcby pivl movement ot each oi said members is provfntcd ivhile pivotal movement o:Q the other one ot said members is cd and movement ot said bar is pered while pivotal movement ot said interlockable member is permitted.

20. A casing, o ierable mechanism carried by said and including a pivoted flange in i, a removable cover for said casing having a bar movable with the same, and a pivoicd men'iber interlockable With said [lange member and vvith said bar; said members having cmnponent arcuate surfaces whereby pivotal movement ot each ot said members is prevented vvhile pivotal movement ot the other one ot said members is pei-mittel and nmvcmcnt ot said bar is prevented vvhil said pivotal movement of said interlockable member is prevented and movement of said bar is permitted While pivotal movement of said interlockable member is permitted.

21. An electric apparatus including a casing, a removable cover for and in a sealing relation with said casing, said sealing relation continuing during the first part of the removal movement ot said cover, an electric device in said casing, operating means for said device, and lock and release means tor said operating means operated by the first part of the removal movement to prevent operation of said operating means and by attaching movement of said cover to permit operation of said operating means.

22. An electric apparatus including a cafing, a removable cover for and in a sealing relation with said casing, said sealing relation continuing during the first part of the removal movement of said cover, an electric device in said casing, operating means for said device including manually operable interengageable means to permit and to prevent the operation ot said operating means, and lock and release means for said manually operable means operated by the first part of the removal movement to prevent the operation of said operating means and of said manually operable means and by attaching movement of said cover to permit the operation of said operating and manually operable means.

In testimony of the foregoing, we aflix our signatures.

EUGENE TV. SCHELLENTRGER.

VILLIAM E. BOYER. 

